The Russian Armed Forces (alternately the Russian Ground Forces or RGF) are a REDFOR faction in ArmA 2.
They also make a minor appearance in ArmA 3 and are represented as the Russian Spetsnaz faction. They were added with the release of the Contact DLC.
Overview[]
| « | A broad expanse for dreams and for lives is opened to us by the coming years. Russian Federation Anthem
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Background[]
Established after the dissolution of the U.S.S.R. and the Soviet Armed Forces at the end of the Cold War, the Russian Armed Forces is its spiritual successor in all but name.
ArmA 2[]
Russian forces operating in Chernarus and the rest of the Green Sea region consist predominately of units from the 454th Guards Motor-Rifle Regiment[1][2][3], with General Shagarov serving as its commander.[4]
Some supporting units are also present alongside the 454th, primarily several armoured platoons from the 321st Tank Battalion and infantry from the 1st Company 'Kazaki' ("The Cossacks").[5] However, they remain on standby at the border and are not deployed on front line duties.[6]
ArmA 3[]
Insignia of the 223rd
Highly trained and versatile, Spetsnaz operatives from the 223rd Special Purpose Detachment have been deployed on covert, deep reconnaissance missions inside Livonia, a member state of NATO.[7]
In light of increased tensions within the past decade, they have been tasked with infiltrating through the so-called "Andrzejów Gap", identifying and exploiting security weaknesses within NATO defences.[8][9]
History[]
After being dismissed following unsuccessful negotiations with the Russian government[6], a powerful insurgent group called the Chernarussian Movement of the Red Star (ChDKZ) executes the Prime Minister of Chernarus, Alexander Baranov[10], in retaliation for the Russian government's rejection of the offer and announces the renaming of the nation to the "Chernarussian Socialistic Republic".[11]
The Russian Federation urgently calls for a UN Security Council meeting in order to discuss authorising a Russian-led intervention in the region following the legitimate Chernarussian government's exile.[12] However, a bitter deadlock is reached in the Security Council meeting as Moscow protests against the deployment of U.S. forces into the region instead.[13][14]
Events of Operation Harvest Red (2009)[]
| SPOILER ALERT | |||
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NOTE: This section contains spoilers from ArmA 2's 'Operation Harvest Red' campaign.
Barely a week after the ChDKZ is forced to withdraw to the northern parts of the country by U.S.-led forces, a bomb goes off at Red Square in Moscow which kills fifty and critically injures more than two hundred people.[11] The Chernarussian National Party are blamed as the prime suspects behind the bombing by the Russian government, and are declared to be a terrorist group while blaming the Americans for causing more instability in the region and encouraging the spread of anti-Russian extremism.[15]   Russian forces step foot onto Chernarussian soil unopposed. The USMC deployment in Chernarus is forced to be cut short following a UN Security Council meeting which authorises the deployment of Russian forces into the country instead.[16][11] Russian troops assume their positions as peacekeepers in the region following the U.S. withdrawal.[17] Albeit reluctantly, the CDF are forced to comply with the Russian military's peacekeeping mandate and allow their forces to monitor their movements. The 454th quickly established an FOB at the Vybor airport following the CDF's evacuation from the airbase.[18] Unbeknownst to both the Russian government and military, the bombing was actually conducted by rogue elements within the Spetsnaz sympathetic to the cause of the ChDKZ; more specifically a fanatical officer named "Karelin", who intended to use the ChDKZ leader, Gregori Lopotev, as a scapegoat in order to re-integrate the country into the Russian Federation.[19][20]   Lopotev is handed over to the Russian peacekeepers. Thanks to the efforts of Razor Team however, enough evidence is gathered, and the conspiracy is eventually revealed to the Russian government after Lopotev himself is captured.[21] Lopotev's handover is personally supervised by the leader of the Russian forces, General Shagarov, but they come under fire from Karelin's rogue team who attempt a last ditch rescue operation to save Lopotev.[22] Karelin is eventually killed in the ensuing gun battle, and his identity is visually confirmed by another Russian officer at the scene.[23] With overwhelming evidence of the ChDKZ being responsible for the bombing, the mandate of their intervention expires, and Russian forces withdraw from the country immediately.[24] The UN Security Council unconditionally agrees to allow for U.S. forces to redeploy into the country once more.[11] |
Post-Operation Harvest Red[]
With Lopotev in their custody and the Chernarussian Civil War at an end, relations between the Russian and U.S. government returned to a status quo. Both sides denied any involvement in the fighting, with the Kremlin blaming the deaths of Russian servicemen in the conflict on "mistakes" caused by the military's low-level commanders.[25]
Events of Operation Black Gauntlet (2013)[]
Russian forces maintain control over the northern regions of Takistan.
Following the aftermath of the UN-mandated and U.S.-led invasion of Takistan, NATO forces in the region slowly begin to withdraw their troops from the country.[26]
Infighting between the New Takistani Army (NTA) and various tribal groups in the region - no longer unconditionally loyal to the West, combined with the chaotic nature of the NATO withdrawal, causes the country to gradually spiral into a state of near-anarchy.[11][27][28]
In the midst of this power struggle between the factions, the Russian military continues to maintain a presence in northern Takistan. They operate independently from NATO but nonetheless assume a limited degree of responsibility over the stabilisation of post-war Takistan.[29]
Post-Old Man[]
By the late 2030s, the Russian Federation has become the focal point of a power struggle between two competing empires: a decaying U.S.-led NATO alliance fracturing from within, and the ever-expanding CSAT coalition led by the People's Republic of China.[30][31]
| « | This is an age of radical change. We see the European Union crumbling, America's economy failing, the old order of things being swept away. We have no interest in reigniting Cold War tensions. Rather, we are searching out opportunities to redistribute the heavy responsibility, now resting on our shoulders. President Nika Grekova
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In the two decades that have followed the Chernarussian Civil War, Russia's economy has skyrocketed to levels not seen since the 1960s. An oil crisis in 2016[32] has forced the majority of Europe - particularly Eastern European countries, to rely solely on Russia for energy resources. This boost has allowed the military to revive numerous scrapped acquisition programmes; the T-100 being one such prominent example, along with the mass production of once considered cost-unfeasible platforms like the Angara tank.[33][34]
The Shikra, a fifth-generation stealth fighter jointly developed by Russian and CSAT companies.
Since its formation, Russia has also held an amicable relationship with CSAT on numerous initiatives. Russian arms manufacturers often work in tandem with their Asian and Middle Eastern partners to co-develop and licence new technologies[35], vehicles[36][37], and heavy equipment.[38]
Sharing a common geopolitical goal of pushing back against an increasingly desperate and aggressively expansionist NATO alliance[39], Russian soldiers often participate in joint military exercises with their counterparts in the Far East. The capital, Moscow, is regularly selected as a host city for CSAT members and their partners for annual summits, the latest of which was held in 2035.[40]
Despite this mutually beneficial relationship, neither the Kremlin nor the Armed Forces' high command have been eager to fully integrate into CSAT. The unequal treatment of Russia's former subject, the Republic of Belarus, has made Russian leaders wary of CSAT's underlying intentions.[41][42] As a result, the Russian government is not quite enthusiastic to place itself under the yoke of Chinese leadership.
| « | Let's not forget how our Western friends reneged on promises made before the Warsaw Pact's dissolution. NATO gave us assurances once. The German border was a line in the sand. And yet that line has crept slowly eastwards. An arc of instability has arisen from the Green Sea to the Middle East. There are even US soldiers, conducting war games along our borders. Foreign Minister Poda Makarovich, commenting on his government's official opinion over CSAT's negative reputation in recent years following the "Apex Protocol Papers"
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However, that attitude may soon change with the latest announcement from the coalition involving an enticing deal that would greatly bolster Russia's standing and influence on global affairs.[31][43]
Livonian SAM battery set ablaze, supposedly by Russian special operations.
Furthermore, in a pitiful attempt to cling onto its collapsing hegemony, the U.S. has arrogantly denied requests from the Kremlin for all NATO military exercises along its borders with Livonia to be halted.[44] The upstart Livonians and their Western allies have long been a hindrance by obstructing the airspace into the Kaliningrad Oblast, and limiting the military's ability to resupply its Baltic Fleet bases.[39]
In spite of this, leaders from NATO states have continued to throw unfair accusations against Russia. They have repeatedly accused Russian forces of conducting supposed "incursions" and "airspace violations" across the border into Livonia along the so-called "Andrzejów Gap" region.[8][9][39]
| « | NATO sabre-rattling is counterproductive. The world is already on a precipice. A return to bilateral Cold War-era thinking could be disastrous for everyone. If the US continues to ignore the new world order, and insists on creating enemies where there are none, they run the risk of making their fears a reality. FM Makarovich
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Provoked by the constant disrespect and contempt that NATO leaders have exhibited towards Russian interests[39], the time for its entry into CSAT may finally be here after nearly two decades of geopolitical vacillation.[43] Only time will tell if the deal comes to fruition.[45][46]
Equipment[]
ArmA 2[]
Flora camouflage pattern used by Russian infantry (ArmA 2)
Russian forces use a mixture of tried-and-true Soviet-era gear to the latest in modern Russian-made hardware.
Most conscripts wear Soviet-era ballistic-resistant vests as well as the SSh-68 combat helmet, while pilots and armoured vehicle crews don ZSh-5 flight helmets and TSh-3 tanker hats (respectively). Their combat uniforms and all other gear are always camouflaged in the Flora pattern that helps to easily blend them into the dense woodland forests of Chernarus.
Spetsnaz operatives and MVD internal troops on the other hand, wear multi-environment Gorka suits for use in long distance patrols deep in the low mountain ranges and heavily built-up towns/villages scattered throughout the country.
ArmA 3[]
Taiga Hexacam used by the Spetsnaz (ArmA 3)
The operatives of the 223rd wear a combination of lightly-armoured Granit mountain suits and Avenger ballistic helmets for headgear; the latter being an early predecessor of CSAT's Assassin series of helmets.
Both sets of gear are usually camouflaged in the Russian military's unique version of CSAT's Hexacam camouflage pattern, a taiga-style colour scheme ideal for Livonia's woodland environments.
Unlike their CSAT compatriots, Spetsnaz operatives eschew CSAT's heavier combat fatigues in favour of Granit suits, which are more suited to traversing the cold and isolated Livonian countryside. Their Kipchak load bearing rigs are designed with expanded storage capacity in mind, but do not provide any protection from small arms fire.
Given the covert nature of their operations, the 223rd do not utilise any heavy ground vehicles and rely exclusively on Mi-48 gunships and PO-30 utility helicopters for transportation. To-201 stealth fighters and Mi-290 heavy-lift helicopters also provide close air support/cargo airlift respectively - on the rare occasion that assistance from either aircraft is required.
Arsenal[]
Armoury[]
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Image |
Name | Description |
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Surface-to-Air Missile Launcher Diameter: 72 mm | |
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Assault Rifle Calibre: 5.45×39 mm | |
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Carbine Calibre: 5.45×39 mm | |
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Anti-Materiel Sniper Rifle Calibre: 12.7×108 mm | |
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Handgun Calibre: 9×18 mm | |
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Submachine Gun Calibre: 9×18 mm | |
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Rocket Launcher Diameter: 40 mm/105 mm | |
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Rocket Launcher Diameter: 64 mm | |
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Light Support Weapon Diameter: 5.45×39 mm | |
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Anti-Tank Missile Launcher Diameter: 130 mm | |
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General-Purpose Machine Gun Calibre: 7.62×54 mm | |
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General-Purpose Machine Gun Calibre: 7.62×54 mm | |
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Shotgun Calibre: 12 Gauge | |
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Sniper Rifle Calibre: 7.62×54 mm | |
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Marksman Rifle Calibre: 9×39 mm |
Motor Pool[]
| Vehicle | Role | Notes |
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 2S6M Tunguska |
Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Vehicle | - Cannot transport any passengers |
 BM-21 Grad |
Self-Propelled Rocket Artillery | - Rocket-based artillery system - Can transport a single passenger |
 BMP-3 |
Infantry Fighting Vehicle | - Amphibious - Can transport up to 5 passengers - Has two front-facing hull gunners |
 BTR-90 |
Infantry Fighting Vehicle | - Amphibious - Can transport up to 7 passengers - Has a separate command vehicle variant for use in Warfare scenarios |
 Ka-52 |
Heavy Attack Helicopter | - Cannot transport any passengers |
 Kamaz |
Utility Truck | - Variable transportation capacity depending on variant - Has dedicated variants that can repair, rearm, and refuel nearby ground vehicles |
 Mi-8MTV-3 |
Utility Helicopter | - Can transport up to 16 passengers - Has a dedicated variant that can heal infantry |
 Mi-24P |
Heavy Attack Helicopter | - Can transport up to 8 passengers |
 PBX |
Rubber Inflatable Boat | - Can transport up to 3 passengers |
 Pchela-1T |
UAV | - Autonomous |
 Su-34 |
Fighter-Bomber | - Cannot transport any passengers - Pilot and co-pilot sit side-by-side |
 Su-39 |
Ground Attack Jet | - Cannot transport any passengers |
 T-72 |
Main Battle Tank | - Cannot transport any passengers |
 T-90 |
Main Battle Tank | - Cannot transport any passengers |
 Vodnik |
Infantry Mobility Vehicle | - Amphibious - Variable transportation capacity depending on variant - Has a dedicated variant that can heal infantry |
 UAZ-469 |
Light Utility Vehicle | - Unarmed variant can transport up to 6 passengers - Armed variants can only transport a single passenger |
Armoury[]
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Image |
Name | Description |
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Assault Rifle Calibre: 7.62×39 mm | |
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Carbine Calibre: 7.62×39 mm | |
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Designated Marksman Rifle Calibre: 12.7×54 mm | |
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Rocket Launcher Diameter: 105 mm/72 mm | |
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Handgun Calibre: 9×21 mm | |
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Light Support Weapon Calibre: 7.62×39 mm |
Motor Pool[]
| Vehicle | Role | Notes |
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 Mi-48 Kajman |
Heavy Attack Helicopter | - Can transport up to 8 passengers - Has six (6) weapon pylon hardpoints |
 Mi-290 Taru |
Heavy Utility Helicopter | - Helicopters DLC-exclusive vehicle - Variable transportation capacity depending on variant - Has dedicated variants that can repair, rearm, and refuel ground vehicles and heal infantry - Specific variants can utilise Slingloading |
 PO-30 Orca |
Light Utility Helicopter | - Can transport up to 8 passengers - Has two (2) weapon pylon hardpoints - Can utilise Slingloading |
 To-201 Shikra |
Stealth Air Superiority Fighter | - Jets DLC-exclusive vehicle - Has seven (7) internal weapon pylon hardpoints - Has six (6) external weapon pylon hardpoints - Has dedicated variant that is stealthed against radars - Stealthed variant does not have external hardpoints - Is the fastest fixed-wing manned jet |
Gallery[]
ArmA 2            ArmA 3         |
Video[]
Trivia[]
- Russian forces are primarily a REDFOR faction in regular gameplay. However, there are specifically two campaigns in the series that have Russians on BLUFOR/INDFOR instead due to limitations with the Real Virtuality engine (two factions on REDFOR cannot be made to fight one another):
- In ArmA 2's non-canonical Eagle Wing mini-campaign, the protagonist's Spetsnaz allies are on INDFOR so that Russian forces are able to fight against ChDKZ insurgents and CDF troops in the second mission.[47]
- In ArmA 3's (also non-canon) First Contact campaign, the player, his Spetsnaz allies, as well as friendly Russian reinforcements, are all set to be on BLUFOR so that the LDF can be properly fought against in the campaign's penultimate mission.[48]
Notes[]
- ↑ Only applies to Sergeant Lev Zotkin's Spetsnaz team for the duration of the non-canon Eagle Wing campaign.
- ↑ Only applies to Captain Ivan Severov's Spetsnaz team and the paratrooper reinforcements at the climax of the non-canon First Contact campaign.
- ↑ Commanding officer of the 454th Guards-Motor Rifle Regiment during the events of Operation Harvest Red (2009). Continued to serve for an unknown period after the deployment to Chernarus.
- ↑ Leader of rogue Spetsnaz team covertly assisting pro-Russian, anti-government insurgents in Chernarus. Killed in Action by U.S. special operations during the events of Operation Harvest Red (2009).
- ↑ Unnamed commanding officer in charge of the peacekeeping/stabilisation force deployed to Northern Takistan after the events of Operation Arrowhead (2012).
References[]
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External links[]
See also[]
- CSAT
- Soviet Union (Predecessor, ArmA: CWA/ARMA Reforger)
- United States Marine Corps (BLUFOR counterpart, ArmA 2)
- Livonian Defense Force (INDFOR counterpart, ArmA 3: Contact)
| Factions of ArmA 2 | |
|---|---|
| BLUFOR | USMC • CDF • U.S. Army • KSK • ACR • British Army |
| REDFOR | Russian Armed Forces • ChDKZ • Takistani Army • Takistani Militia |
| INDFOR | NAPA • Takistani Rebels • United Nations • ION |
| Operation Arrowhead | British Armed Forces | |
| Factions - REDFOR (ArmA 2) | |
|---|---|
| Russian Armed Forces • ChDKZ • Takistani Army • Takistani Militia | |
| Operation Arrowhead | |
| Factions of ArmA 3 | |
|---|---|
| BLUFOR | NATO • CTRG • FIA • Gendarmerie |
| REDFOR | CSAT • Gendarmerie • Russian Spetsnaz • Viper |
| INDFOR | AAF • LDF • Syndikat |
| Apex DLC | Contact DLC | |
| Factions - REDFOR (ArmA 3) | |
|---|---|
| CSAT • Gendarmerie • Russian Spetsnaz • Viper | |
| Apex DLC | Contact DLC | |